Reviews & testimonials

Words from our patients

Real experiences from patients treated by Dr. Varma and the Manhattan Spine Consultants team.

Patient stories

Joanna Augustine 34-year-old banker and tennis player — microdiscectomy for a herniated disc. Pain-free and back on the court within 3 months.

Neil Wallach 61-year-old patient — 4-level lumbar laminectomy for severe lumbar spinal stenosis.

Maryann Oklesson 74-year-old business developer — came back from degenerative spondylolisthesis and sciatica with a minimally invasive technique.

Erica Peterson 71-year-old history teacher — minimally invasive treatment for severe spinal stenosis and painful sciatica.

Judith Pinals 82-year-old from New Rochelle — successfully treated for severe spinal stenosis.

Dina Fanai 50-year-old ex-dancer — minimally invasive microdiscectomy for a severely herniated disc; home the same day.

Richard Siracusa 77-year-old attorney and runner — spinal stenosis resolved with therapy, surgery, and pain management.

William Pinzler Spinal cyst and lumbar stenosis — cyst removal and successful spinal fusion; pain free and active.

Ruth Schroeder Severe lumbar radiculopathy treated with minimally invasive micro-decompression surgery.

Richard Miller Minimally invasive spinal fusion for severe spinal stenosis — back to an active lifestyle.

Antoinette Bonocorsco Fellow NYC surgeon — successful microdiscectomy and a return to an active, pain-free life.

Neil Boxer Severe spinal stenosis treated with a laminectomy decompression procedure.

Nancy Rubenstein 72-year-old — minimally invasive fusion for severe spinal stenosis and scoliosis.

Heather Pickett 58-year-old — minimally invasive fusion procedure to correct her scoliosis.

Alice Cohen 83-year-old with severe sciatica — minimally invasive microdecompression.

Toni Meeker 75-year-old — XLIF (extreme lateral interbody fusion) to correct spinal stenosis.

Lauren Wood 27-year-old musician — cervical disc replacement for a herniated disc and severe cervical radiculopathy after an accident.

Paige Randall 26-year-old — herniated disc treated with ALIF surgery.

Written reviews

“A successful spinal fusion, lower lumbar 4-5, took care of the sciatica that radiated down my leg. Fast recovery too!”

Mary Ann O.

“The office was huge, clean, modern, and inviting. Dr. Varma was professional and answered all my questions — he made me feel at ease and comfortable. I highly recommend Dr. Varma and his office.”

Ricardo C.

“I was very nervous for a cervical spine surgery consultation. Dr. Varma made me feel very comfortable, was very patient with my questions, and gave me the best and worst scenario.”

Ricardo R.

“I was in so much pain for 25-plus years. I went from constant pain to immediate relief. Thanks so much Dr. Varma for giving me a chance to live my life pain free.”

Ajshe H.

“Dr. Varma is the best. He performed a spine fusion on me and relieved my back and neck pain. I would highly recommend him to all my friends and family.”

Ralph F.

“He mentioned surgery, but suggested physical therapy first, hoping to avoid surgery. He was attentive, interested, informative and friendly. I would recommend him in a flash!”

Howard M.

“He has your back, pun intended. He knows exactly what he’s doing. He genuinely cares about his patients — don’t hesitate to make an appointment.”

Ken C.

“He is one of the best doctors I have ever seen. Patient, caring, thorough, down to earth — he makes sure you understand everything and answers all questions.”

Marie M.

“Surgery was a breeze — much less dramatic than I feared it would be, and Dr. Varma has been fantastic at following up and answering all my post-op questions.”

Anja J.